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Colombia 2024: Falconets off to Bogota for two-week final camping ahead World Cup finals
Joel Ajayi
Two-time finalists Nigeria will set up camp in the Colombian capital, Bogota as from Sunday, for a two-week final camping programme leading to the commencement of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals which begin in that country on the last day of this month.
The ever-present Falconets, who also reached the semi-finals in Japan 12 years ago and have been in the quarter-finals in 2006, 2018 and 2022, grabbed one of Africa’s tickets to this year’s final tournament after aggregate-score defeats of Tanzania and Burundi.
The Coach Christopher Musa Danjuma-led maidens spent four weeks in the first phase of their final camping in Abuja, during which they won a series of friendly games, losing only once.
“I want to thank the NFF for arranging the two-week camping in Colombia. This will go a long way to help the team, as the players will acclimatize very well and get familiar with their surroundings before the championship begins. I assure you that we will make the best use of this opportunity,” Danjuma told thenff.com on Saturday, hours before the team was due to fly out of the country to Istanbul aboard a Turkish Airline flight, en route Bogota.
On Friday, Sports Minister John Owan Enoh met with the squad, and charged them to go for the ultimate prize having won the silver medals previously and being in the semi-finals once.
“Your predecessors have done well reaching the final of the competition on two occasions and making the semi-finals once. It is now time for you to take our country further by winning the trophy. I commend the NFF for arranging the two-week final camping for you in Colombia that will enable you to acclimatize very well before the tournament.
“The Government and the people of this great country are with you, and I am confident that you will not disappoint.”
Present in Canada in 2002 when the tournament was launched as an U19 Championship, the Falconets have participated in Thailand 2004, Russia 2006, Chile 2008, Germany 2010, Japan 2012, Canada 2014, Papua New Guinea 2016, France 2018 and Costa Rica 2022. The global coronavirus pandemic made any tournament impossible in 2020.
Already drawn to play Korea Republic, Germany and Venezuela in that order in the group phase, the Falconets know they must start fighting hard from the first blast of the whistle in Bogota to have any chance of making the Round of 16, as the competition welcomes 24 teams for the very first time.
With the field expanded to 24, Africa now has four flag-bearers (Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Ghana this time) Matches will take place in four venues in three different cities (Bogotá, Medellín and Cali). There will be two venues in Bogotá – Estadio El Campín and Estadio Metropolitano de Techo. The Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín and the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali are the other venues.
Nigeria’s first match of the tournament against Korea Republic holds inside the 10,000 -capacity Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota on 1st September – the same venue where they confront Germany three days later. Their final match of the group phase is against Venezuela at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali on 7th September.
Celebrity
NTAC Director-General Honors Mallam Nuhu Ribadu @65, Praises His Distinguished Service to the Nation
Cyril Ogar
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub,has commended President Tinubu’s National Security Adviser,Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,for his trailblazing leadership as the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and for his current role as the National Security Adviser.
The NTAC boss ,who offered the above commendations, Saturday,in Abuja,while celebrating the foremost lawyer and public servant who turned 65 on Friday,also lauded Ribadu for steering Nigeria through complex security challenges with courage and integrity,which the NTAC DG acknowledged ,has set an enduring example for all public officers to emulate.
In a message personally signed by the former federal lawmaker and made available to his media handlers in Abuja, Saturday,Buba emphasized the great roles Mallam Ribadu has continued to play in the evolution of the Nigerian state.
He said:”I have the honour to refer to the above subject-matter and avail myself of the opportunity of this auspicious moment to celebrate you,Dear Leader and Brother,on the occasion of your birthday celebration this year.
“Yesterday again marked yet another milestone of wisdom, dedication, and service as you celebrated 65 years of life ,many of which you have invested in the service of our nation and humanity at large.
“Without the risk of reciting the obvious,Sir,your trailblazing leadership as the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where you transformed the fight against corruption, and now as the National Security Adviser, steering Nigeria through complex security challenges with courage and integrity, has set an enduring example for all of us to emulate.
“Your legacy of principled reform, selfless service, and steadfast patriotism continues to inspire countless Nigerians, especially the young professionals and Volunteers we work with every day.May Allah (SWT) continue to strengthen you for greater wisdom and performance as you age in wealth and wellness.
“For myself,my dear family and on behalf of the Management and staff of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC),where with your kind support I have served as DG these past years,I extend heartfelt congratulations to you, Sir, on this remarkable milestone and solemn achievement.
“May Allah grant you good health, long life, and the special wisdom to keep guiding our nation toward peace, security, and prosperity.
” We pray that the years ahead bring you abundant joy, fulfillment, and the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of your tireless efforts in many more years of blessings,”the text concluded.
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